Portable faucet

ABSTRACT

A portable outdoor faucet is configured for attachment with a source of water via a hose. The faucet comprises a shower nob and a sprayer head, connected in relation to a main valve, which is operable to selectively direct fluid to the shower nob and the sprayer head. A hose attachment is connected in relation to the main valve. The hose attachment for attachment of a hose originating from a water source for directing water from the water source to the valve. A clamp assembly supports the main valve in relation to an environmental surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/382,583, filed Sep. 1, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to faucets, and more particularly, toportable faucets.

People are accustomed to using a sink or faucet regularly. When awayfrom the comforts of home, during outdoor activities, the convenient useof a faucet is disrupted. There is a need for a portable faucet,particularly, an outdoor faucet, which can be used outdoors, such aswhen camping, boating, fishing, grilling, tailgating, gardening, and thelike, for cleaning, and more.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable outdoor faucet that mounts to mostany surfaces, and to which a water hose may be attached to provide awater source where desired. This faucet may be comprised of a watersupply connection, a lower stem, a three-way ball valve, an upper stemas well as connections and brackets for miscellaneous accessories suchas a sprayer/shower hose, a mirror and a towel hook.

An exemplary faucet is configured for attachment with a source of watervia a hose. The faucet comprises a shower nob and a sprayer head,connected in relation to a main valve, which is operable to selectivelydirect fluid to the shower nob and the sprayer head. A hose attachmentis connected in relation to the main valve. The hose attachment forattachment of a hose originating from a water source for directing waterfrom the water source to the valve. A clamp assembly supports the mainvalve in relation to an environmental surface.

Various advantages of this invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features and attendant advantages of the seat will become morefully appreciated when considered in view of the accompanying drawings,in which like reference characters designate the same or similar partsand/or features throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portable faucet;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of a shower nob attached to aterminal or proximal end of a bend pipe;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of a tap rotating system forattaching a distal end of the bend pipe to a first outlet of the ballvalve;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a sprayer head, sprayer hose and ballvalve;

FIG. 5 is an exploded top plan view of the sprayer holder and mirrorframe insertion member supported in relation to the bend pipe via ashower/mirror holder;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of a C-shaped member of asprayer holder for supporting the sprayer head;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front plan view of a mirror sized and configuredto be supported in relation to the shower/mirror holder;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the mirror shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of a clipping attachment forconnecting a lower end of the straight pipe to a hose attachment; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of a C-clamp assembly forsupporting the faucet in relation to an environmental surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a portablefaucet, generally indicated at 10, particularly suitable for outdooruse, and which is configured for attachment with a hose, such as agarden hose. The faucet 10 generally comprises a spigot or shower nob 12and a sprayer or sprayer head 14 connected to a ball valve 16. The ballvalve 16 may be supported in relation to an environmental surface, suchan edge of a table top, by a C-clamp assembly 18. A hose attachment 20is provided for the attachment of a hose (not shown), originating from awater source.

The shower nob 12 is supported in relation to a gooseneck bend pipe 22,such as at a terminal or proximal end of the bend pipe 22. The showernob 12 may be supported in relation to the bend pipe 22 in any suitablemanner. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower nob 12 may include afemale thread (e.g., M16×1 mm pitch) that mates with a male thread atthe proximal end of the bend pipe 22, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively,the shower nob 12 may be attached to the bend pipe 22, such as bysoldering, brazing or welding. The shower nob 12 may take on anysuitable configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the shower nob 12is threaded with a thread (e.g., ½″ BSP) suitable for mating with thesprayer head 14, to provide an alternative point of connection for asprayer hose 24 (referred to hereinbelow), to provide extended heightfor the sprayer head 14, or it may be provided with some other suitablefeature for providing some other connection point, such as a thread forattachment of a garden hose (not shown), or for attachment of adiffuser, for directing a spray pattern, or an aerator, screen, filter,and/or the like.

The bend pipe 22 shown is in the approximate shape of an inverted J,wherein a short leg of the J is at an angle in relation to a long legthereof (i.e., directed away from the long leg), although the bend pipe22 may be in another form or configuration. In the illustratedembodiment, the bend pipe 22 is shaped to direct water therefromdownward and toward a user.

As shown in FIG. 3, an opposing or distal end of the bend pipe 22 isattached to a first outlet of the ball valve 16. This can be done in anysuitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the bend pipe 22 isattached to the ball valve 16 via a tap rotating system, generallyindicated at 26. The tap rotating system 26 may be comprised of an innerpart 28, which may be fixed in relation to the distal end of the bendpipe 22, such as by threading, soldering, brazing, welding, or inanother suitable manner. The inner part 28 may be supported forrotational movement in relation to an outer part 30 of the tap rotatingsystem 26. A rotating nut 32 is supported in relation to the outer part30, such as by mating threads (e.g., M28×1.5″ pitch), to hold the innerpart 28 within the outer part 30. The tap rotating system 26 is securedin relation to the ball valve 16 via the outer part 30, such as by useof mating threads (e.g., 1″ BSP). Seals, such as silicone O-rings 34,may be provided between the inner and outer parts 28, 30 and therotating nut 32 to provide a fluid tight seal therebetween. A seal, suchas a silicone washer 36, is seated between the rotating nut 32 and ahousing or body of the ball valve 16. The tap rotating system 26 isprovided to provide a sealed attachment between the ball valve 16 andthe bend pipe 22, to hold the bend pipe 22 against axial movement whileproviding for rotational movement of the bend pipe 22 in relation to theball valve 16.

Referring back to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a towel holder 38, whichextends from a back portion of the bend pipe 22 (i.e., in a directionaway from the user). The towel holder 38 is in the general shape of anL, where a lower leg thereof extends transversely from the bend pipe 22and an upper leg extends upwardly, so as to provide a hook-shapedconfiguration, upon which a towel (not shown) may be supported. Itshould be noted that the towel holder 38 is so situated that it maysupport a towel while the shower nob 12 is in use without interferingwith the use of the shower nob 12. The towel holder 38 may be supportedin any suitable manner, including but not limited to brazing, solderingor welding the towel holder 38 to the bend pipe 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sprayer head 14 may be connected to a sprayerhose 24, which, in turn, is connected to a second outlet of the ballvalve 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the sprayer head 14 has afemale thread (not shown), and an upper end of the sprayer hose 24 has amale threaded fitting or end (not shown) that mates with the femalethread. A lower end of the sprayer hose 24 has a female threaded fitting(not shown) that mates with a male thread (e.g., ½″ BSP) on the ballvalve 16. Of course, these connections form sealed connections, such asthrough the use of O-rings and/or washers (not shown), between thesprayer head 14 and the sprayer hose 24 and between the sprayer hose 24and the ball valve 16, which allow fluid to flow from the ball valve 16into the sprayer head 14.

The sprayer head 14 may be in any suitable form. The illustrated sprayerhead 14 comprises a straight pipe defining a valve body 40, within whichis a valve (not shown) controlled by a push button 42, which, whendepressed or actuated to an open position, allows fluid to pass throughthe valve. The push button 42 is spring biased, or is depressed againsta spring force, which moves the push button 42 back to a closedposition, wherein the valve closes to prohibit fluid from flowingtherethrough. An exemplary sprayer head may comprise a model HF GUNPRESTIGE by KINDLE™. Extending from the valve body 40 is an angle tube44 with an offset or angularly disposed portion at a proximal orterminal end thereof. The terminal end of the angle tube 44 is threadedwith a male thread (not shown), which is engageable with a female thread(not shown) within a distal end of a cap 46. A proximal end of the cap46 is threaded with a female thread, which mates with a male thread on adiffuser 48. The diffuser 48 may cause fluid to be directed therefrom ina spray pattern. It should be appreciated that an aerator, screen,filter and/or the like may be supported by the proximal end of the cap46.

The sprayer head 14 may be supported in relation to the bend pipe 22, sothat the sprayer head 14 is readily available for use, but out of theway when not in use. Although this can be done in any suitable manner,in the illustrated embodiment, the sprayer head 14 is supported inrelation to the bend pipe 22 via a sprayer holder, as generallyindicated at 50 in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the illustrated sprayer holder 50 may be comprisedof a C-shaped member 52, defining an opening 54 through which thesprayer hose 24 may pass. The C-shaped member 52 has a tapered innerwall 56 (shown in FIG. 7), wherein the taper narrows downwardly so thata lower end of the C-shaped member 52 more snuggly supports the sprayerhead 14 when inserted therein.

The C-shaped member 52 may be supported in relation to the bend pipe 22in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, a threaded shaft58 (e.g., M6 threads) extends transversely (i.e., extending horizontallywhen viewing FIG. 6) in relation to the C-shaped member 52. A sprayerholder nut 60 has a radially centered female thread 62 (e.g., M6threads) extending therethrough (i.e., extending horizontally whenviewing the drawings) that mates with the threaded shaft 58. A washer64, which may be a silicone washer, may be nested within an inner area66 defined at least partially by an inner wall (shown but notreferenced) within the sprayer holder nut 60. The inner area 66 is sizedand configured to cooperate with a reduced diameter portion 68 thatextends transversely from one side of a central portion 70 of amirror/sprayer holder 72. The washer 64 is located between the sprayerholder nut 60 and the reduced diameter portion 68. The mirror/sprayerholder 72 is provided with a radially centered female thread 74 (e.g.,M6 threads), which extends axially through the reduced diameter portion68 (i.e., extending horizontally when viewing the drawings) to an innerarea 76 defined at least by an inner wall (shown but not referenced)within the central portion 70 of the mirror/sprayer holder 72, oppositethe reduced diameter portion 68. The threaded shaft 58 extending fromthe C-shaped member 52 threads through the female thread 62 of thesprayer holder nut 60, passes through the washer 64, and threads throughthe female thread 74 extending through the reduced diameter portion 68.The sprayer holder nut 60 functions as a lock nut, when tightenedagainst the reduced diameter portion 68, to prevent threaded movement ofthe threaded shaft 58 in relation to the female thread 74 extendingthrough the reduced diameter portion 68. This prevents rotationalmovement of the C-shaped member 52 in relation to the mirror/sprayerholder 72. The washer 64 functions as a resilient member between thesprayer holder nut 60 and the mirror/sprayer holder 72.

A washer 78, which may be a silicone washer, may be nested within theinner area 76 within the central portion 70 of the mirror/sprayer holder72. The threaded shaft 58 passes through the washer 68, and mates withfemale threads 82 (e.g., M6 threads) of an insertion member 84. Theinsertion member 84 is sized and configured to be inserted into theinner area 76 of the central portion 70 of the mirror/sprayer holder 72.The washer 78 functions as a resilient member between the insertionmember 84 and the mirror/sprayer holder 72. The insertion member 84supports a mirror frame 86, which, in turn, supports a mirror 88, asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

It should be appreciated that the inner area 66 of the sprayer holdernut 60, the reduced diameter portion 68, the inner area 76 of thecentral portion 70 of the mirror/sprayer holder 72 and an outer surfaceof the insertion member 84 may all be substantially cylindrical torotationally cooperate with one another. Also, the female threads 62,74, 82 axially align with one another when the mirror/sprayer holder 72is assembled to allow the threaded shaft 58 to be threaded therethrough.

The mirror/sprayer holder 72 is supported in fixed relation to the bendpipe 22. This may be done in any suitable manner. For example, theillustrated mirror/sprayer holder 72 may have an outwardly presentedcurved relief, or concave portion (shown in FIG. 7 but not referenced),which mates with an outer surface of the bend pipe 22. Themirror/sprayer holder 72 may be mounted or attached to the bend pipe 22,via the concave portion in any suitable manner, including but notlimited to soldering, brazing or welding, or in another suitable manner.

It should be appreciated that the sprayer holder 50 and the mirror 88are dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the mirror/sprayerholder 72 in a manner so as to support the sprayer holder 50 and themirror 88 for pivotal movement in relation to the mirror/sprayer holder72.

The ball valve 16 is preferably a three-way ball valve, which isdiagrammatically represented in FIGS. 10A-C. The ball valve 16 maycomprise any suitable ball valve, which may be controlled in anysuitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball valve 16 iscontrolled by a rotating handle 90 (shown in FIG. 4), which controls themovement of a valve ball within the valve body. In a first or offposition (shown in FIG. 10A), the ball valve 16 is “off”. In thisposition, the ball valve 16 prohibits fluid flow therethrough. In asecond position (shown in FIG. 10B), the valve diverts fluid flow to thebend pipe 22, which, in turn, directs fluid to the shower nob 12. In athird position (shown in FIG. 10C), the valve diverts fluid flow to thesprayer hose 24, which, in turn, directs fluid to the sprayer head 14.It should be appreciated that the ball valve 16 may be controlled sothat fluid may flow between the second and third positions, to divertfluid to both the bend pipe 22 and the sprayer hose 24, to direct fluidflow to both the shower nob 12 and the sprayer head 14 at the same time.

An inlet of the ball valve 16 is connected to a straight pipe 92, asshown in FIG. 11. This can be done in any suitable manner. In theillustrated embodiment, the inlet is provided with a male thread (e.g.,¾″ BSP (LH)). A pipe to valve connector 94 has an upper end that isthreaded with a female thread (e.g., ¾″ BSP (LH)) to mate with the malethreads of the inlet of the ball valve 16. A seal, such as an O-ring 96,is provided between the pipe to valve connector 94 and the ball valve16. This arrangement provides a sealed connection between the ball valve16 and the pipe to valve connector 94. A lower end of the pipe to valveconnector 94 is provided with a female thread (e.g. M16 thread) thatmates with a male thread (e.g. M16×1″ pitch thread) at an upper end ofthe straight pipe 92.

A lower end of the straight pipe 92 supports a hose attachment 98 (e.g.,for a garden hose). This can be done in any suitable manner. In theillustrated embodiment, a clipping attachment 100 is supported inrelation to the lower end of the straight pipe 92, such as, for example,by soldering, brazing or welding. An upper clipping knob 102 issupported in relation to the clipping attachment 100. In the illustratedembodiment, a lower end portion of the clipping attachment 100 isthreaded with a male thread (e.g., ½″ BSP), while an upper end of theupper clipping knob 102 is threaded with a female thread (e.g., ½″ BSP).An inner wall of the upper clipping knob 102 has a reduced diameterportion, which defines a shoulder upon which seats a seal, such as asilicone washer 104, so as to provide a seal between the clippingattachment 100 and the upper clipping knob 102. The upper clipping knob102 is threaded onto the clipping attachment 100 until a lower end ofthe clipping attachment 100 sealingly engages the seal.

A lower clipping knob 106 is supported for rotational movement inrelation to the upper clipping knob 102. This is done in any suitablemanner. In the illustrated embodiment, a lower end of the upper clippingknob 102 has an annular recess 108 and an upper end of the lowerclipping knob 102 has an annular lip 110. The upper end of the lowerclipping knob 102 may be radially crimped in an inward direction so thatthe annular lip 110 engages the annular recess 108, in a manner that issufficiently loose to permit the lower clipping knob 106 to moverotationally in relation to the upper clipping knob 102.

To connect to a hose, a lower end portion of the lower clipping knob 106is provided with a male thread (e.g., ½″ FPT thread), which preferablymates with the standard female thread of a garden hose. A seal, such asa silicone washer, is supported within the lower clipping knob 106. Uponthreading the lower clipping knob 106 onto the hose (not shown), thehose engages the seal to form a fluid-tight seal between the lowerclipping knob 106 and the hose, while allowing fluid to flow from thehose attachment 98 into the straight pipe 92.

The straight pipe 92 is supported in relation to the C-clamp assembly18, shown in FIG. 12. The C-clamp assembly 18 comprises a C-shaped clampbracket 114, which is supported in fixed relation to the straight pipe92. This can be done in any suitable manner. In the illustratedembodiment, the C-shaped clamp bracket 114 has an intermediate portion116 that is welded to the straight pipe 92. The C-shaped clamp bracket114 has upper and lower legs 118, 120 extending transversely therefrom.The upper leg 118 has an underside that is arranged and configured toengage an upper surface of an environmental structure (not shown). Thelower leg 120 has a threaded hole 122 passing therethrough. A threadedC-clamp attachment rod 124 is threaded into the threaded hole 122. Anupper end of the threaded C-clamp attachment rod 124 supports forrotation a round gripper 126, which is configured to engage an undersideof the environmental structure. The round gripper 126 may be supportedin any suitable manner. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, theupper end of the threaded C-clamp attachment rod 124 has a reduceddiameter portion that fits within a centrally located hole in the roundgripper 126. The upper end of the threaded C-clamp attachment rod 124 ispeened, flared or swaged to deform the upper end and thus, retain theround gripper 126. A chuck nut 128 is threaded onto a lower end of thethreaded C-clamp attachment rod 124 (e.g., via M10×1.5″ threads). Atightening knob 130 is threaded onto the lower end of the threadedC-clamp attachment rod 124, and into engagement with the chuck nut 128to hold the tightening knob 130 in place (i.e., in a fixed position) inrelation to the threaded C-clamp attachment rod 124. Turning thetightening knob 130, rotates the threaded C-clamp attachment rod 124 tocause the round gripper 126 to engage the underside of the environmentalstructure. Continued tightening causes the round gripper 126 to tightlyengage the underside of the environmental structure to hold the faucet10 in fixed relation to the environmental structure. Loosening thethreaded C-clamp attachment rod 124 causes the round gripper 126 todisengage from the environmental surface, thus allowing the faucet 10 tobe removed therefrom.

It should be appreciated that various components may include a toothedsurface, a gnarled surface, or some other suitable surface for gripping,as is clearly shown in the drawings.

It should be noted that orientational terms, such as proximal, distal,downward, upper, lower, underside, are in reference to the faucet asshown in the drawings. The drawing figures depict the faucet in anorientation of normal use, which could obviously change. Therefore,orientational terms should be understood to be provided for semanticpurposes, and are not intended to limit the faucet or component partsthereof in any particular way.

Although the faucet has been described in terms of certain componentsbeing referred to in either the singular or the plural, otherarrangements are possible. For example, it is to be understood that dueto the conceptual description presented herein, components presented inthe singular may be provided in the plural.

It should be appreciated that the faucet and the component parts thereofmay be formed of any suitable material, including, for example, metal(e.g., SS 304 stainless steel), plastic, hard rubber, or other suitablematerial. Various components thereof may be of solid construction orhollow, or a combination thereof. The same may be cast, cut, molded,extruded or formed in some other suitable manner.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principleand mode of operation of this invention have been explained andillustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understoodthat this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallyexplained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable faucet configured for attachment witha source of water via a hose, the faucet comprising: a three-way valvehaving an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, a bend pipe havinga first end and a second end, the first end of the bend pipe beingconnected to the first outlet, a sprayer hose having a first end and asecond end, the first end of the sprayer hose being connectable to thesecond outlet, a shower nob connected to the second end of the bendpipe, a sprayer head connected to the second end of the sprayer hose, ahose attachment connected in relation to the inlet, the hose attachmentfor attachment of the hose originating from a water source for directingwater from the water source to the valve, the three-way valve beingoperable to selectively direct fluid to the shower nob and the sprayerhead, a mirror/sprayer holder supported in fixed relation to the bendpipe, a sprayer holder supported for rotational movement in relation tothe mirror/sprayer holder so as to be rotationally adjustable inrelation to the mirror/sprayer holder, the sprayer holder comprising aC-shaped member defining an opening through which the sprayer hose maypass, the C-shaped member having a tapered inner wall that more snugglycontacts the sprayer head as the sprayer head is lowered into theC-shaped member for removably supporting the sprayer head, an insertionmember supported for rotational movement in relation to themirror/sprayer holder so as to be rotationally adjustable in relation tothe mirror/sprayer holder, the insertion member for supporting a mirror,a sprayer holder nut that threadably engages the mirror/sprayer holder,the C-shaped member comprising a threaded shaft that threadably engagesthe sprayer holder nut, the mirror/sprayer holder and the insertionmember, the sprayer holder nut being configured to be tightened againstthe mirror/sprayer holder to hold the threaded shaft in fixed relationto the mirror/sprayer holder, and thus hold the sprayer holder and theinsertion member in a fixed position, and a clamp assembly forsupporting the three-way valve in relation to an environmental surface.2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the three-way valve is selectivelyoperable to a first position, wherein fluid flow is prohibited throughthe valve, a second position, wherein fluid flow is directed to thefirst outlet, and a third position, wherein fluid flow is directed tothe second outlet.
 3. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the three-way valveis further configured to direct fluid flow to the second and thirdpositions, to direct fluid flow to both the first outlet and the secondoutlet.
 4. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the sprayer holder nutcomprises an inner area the cooperates with a reduced dimension portionof the mirror/sprayer holder and the mirror/sprayer holder has an innerarea opposite the reduced dimension portion that cooperates with theinsertion member.
 5. The faucet of claim 4, wherein the inner area ofthe sprayer holder nut, the reduced dimension portion, the inner area ofthe mirror/sprayer holder and an outer surface of the insertion memberare substantially cylindrical to rotationally cooperate with oneanother.
 6. The faucet of claim 1, further comprising a towel holder,the towel holder extending from the bend pipe, the towel holder beingconfigured to support a towel in relation to the bend pipe.
 7. Thefaucet of claim 6, wherein the towel holder extends from a back portionof the bend pipe in a direction away from a user.
 8. The faucet of claim7, wherein the towel holder comprises a substantially L shaped structurehaving a lower leg extending transversely from the bend pipe and anupper leg extends upwardly to provide a hook-shaped configuration. 9.The faucet of claim 1, further comprising a straight pipe having anupper end connected in relation to the inlet of the three-way valve anda lower end that supports the hose attachment, the hose attachment beingsupported for rotation in relation to the straight pipe.
 10. The faucetof claim 9, wherein the straight pipe is supported in relation to theclamp assembly.
 11. The faucet of claim 10, wherein the clamp assemblycomprises a C-clamp assembly, comprising a C-shaped clamp bracket, whichis supported in fixed relation to the straight pipe, the C-shaped clampbracket having upper and lower legs, the upper leg having an undersidethat is arranged and configured to engage an upper surface of anenvironmental structure, the lower leg having a threaded hole passingtherethrough, the clamp assembly further comprising a threaded C-clampattachment rod that is threaded into the threaded hole, an upper end ofthe threaded C-clamp attachment rod supporting for rotation a roundgripper, which is configured to engage an underside of the environmentalstructure upon threaded the threading C-clamp attachment rod into thethreaded hole.
 12. The faucet of claim 1, further comprising a rotatingtap system, the rotating tap system connecting the first end of the bendpipe to the first outlet, the rotating tap system supporting the bendpipe for rotational movement in relation to the three-way valve.
 13. Thefaucet of claim 1, wherein the sprayer head comprises a secondary valveoperable to control fluid passing through the sprayer head independentof the three-way valve, and wherein the secondary valve is configured tocause fluid to be directed from the valve in a spray pattern.